I am here since Friday gone a week; but in no travelling condition; in fact altogether out of spirits, and out of order every
way; and do not think of going farther into Scotland at present, or indeed of going anywhither, except unwillingly into Nithsdale
where I have some business to do,—and then home again to Chelsea to hide myself in a corner there. This country is infinitely
mournful to me; but I feel least annoyed when left entirely alone, to saunter about the moors here, and converse with the
ghosts of the Past after my own fashion. I am very sorry to see little or no prospect of meeting with you even in Cumberland
on this occasion; one of the few men whom it is really solacing to me to meet with! But we cannot help it.1

The Book on Cromwell is done; and is worth next to nothing when done. One poor man avails not against the stupidity of a Nation
for two hundred years. There will be no recognition of Cromwell till another generation than this arise. I sometimes think
I may have turned a little running brook in upon the obscene dung-mountains, whereby they may at last be swum away, and the
face of Oliver and his earnest time laid bare from them: but this also I do not know for certain; neither indeed need one specially care. I have got done with a most disgusting piece
of labour; which, in so far as it was pious and honest, will not be useless to myself at any rate. And so, let us rest a little
in the mute wilderness here, and then to the road again.— —

If the Secretary2 is with you, remember me to him as one that in all places loves him. You, I hope, will come to London before long; I could
like right well to see you again. Yours ever truly (in much haste to-day),

1. Though there was to be no autumn visit, TC sent Spedding the usual presentation copy, inscribed “To Thomas Spedding Esq /
with many kind regards / T. C. London, 12 Novr. 1845.”

2. James Spedding (1808–81; ODNB), his brother, who had been a sec. at the colonial office; see JWC to JCA, 13 Aug. 1835. FitzGerald had written to a friend, 12 June: “Spedding, you know, does not change: he is now the same that he was fourteen years old when I first knew him at school
more than twenty years ago; wise, calm, bald, combining the best qualities of Youth and Age” (Terhune, LEF 1:493).